Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
SpaceX is charging ahead with the 37th Starship test, while Blue Origin is still assembling early components of its New Glenn rocket. Although Blue Origin aims to compete with SpaceX for lunar and Martian missions, their progress paints a very different picture. SpaceX is launching massive rockets back to back, whereas Blue Origin is still stuck in early development. In this update, we’ll explore just how far apart these two rivals are—and what Blue Origin is doing to close that gap.
On July 28, Elon Musk announced that Starship’s tenth test flight is set for next month. Not long after, Ship 37—the upper stage of the rocket—was transported to the pad and mounted on a brand-new platform designed specifically for this campaign. Just two days later, it completed a critical static fire test, bringing it one step closer to launch readiness.
What makes this launch unique is the new platform it's using, known as the "star stool." It’s the first time a Starship was placed directly on this integrated structure, which is now a permanent part of the pad and designed to streamline future operations.
Ship 36 exploded during a test on June 18, likely due to a failure in its front fuel tank. The blast damaged the rocket and nearby test systems, leaving the Massey site unusable for hot-fire tests.
Instead of waiting for repairs, SpaceX quickly modified its main pad to handle these tests. They added a new stand to support fueling and static fires, allowing operations to continue without delay.
Soon after Ship 37 arrived, it was placed on the new stand, and testing began immediately—showcasing SpaceX’s fast-paced, adaptable approach.
SpaceX is charging ahead with the 37th Starship test, while Blue Origin is still assembling early components of its New Glenn rocket. Although Blue Origin aims to compete with SpaceX for lunar and Martian missions, their progress paints a very different picture. SpaceX is launching massive rockets back to back, whereas Blue Origin is still stuck in early development. In this update, we’ll explore just how far apart these two rivals are—and what Blue Origin is doing to close that gap.
On July 28, Elon Musk announced that Starship’s tenth test flight is set for next month. Not long after, Ship 37—the upper stage of the rocket—was transported to the pad and mounted on a brand-new platform designed specifically for this campaign. Just two days later, it completed a critical static fire test, bringing it one step closer to launch readiness.
What makes this launch unique is the new platform it's using, known as the "star stool." It’s the first time a Starship was placed directly on this integrated structure, which is now a permanent part of the pad and designed to streamline future operations.
Ship 36 exploded during a test on June 18, likely due to a failure in its front fuel tank. The blast damaged the rocket and nearby test systems, leaving the Massey site unusable for hot-fire tests.
Instead of waiting for repairs, SpaceX quickly modified its main pad to handle these tests. They added a new stand to support fueling and static fires, allowing operations to continue without delay.
Soon after Ship 37 arrived, it was placed on the new stand, and testing began immediately—showcasing SpaceX’s fast-paced, adaptable approach.
